Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 45
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः
Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
न भूम्या कार्यमस्माकं न हि शक्तास्स्म पालने।रतास्स्वाध्यायकरणे वयं नित्यं हि भूमिप।।।।निष्क्रयं किञ्चिदेवेह प्रयच्छतु भवानिति। 4
na bhūmyā kāryam asmākaṃ na hi śaktā sma pālane |
ratāḥ svādhyāyakaraṇe vayaṃ nityaṃ hi bhūmipa ||
niṣkrayaṃ kiñcid eveha prayacchatu bhavān iti |
“大地之主啊，我们并不需要土地，也确实无力治理。我们恒常安住于吠陀的诵习与修行之中。因此，请在此赐予别样的酬报，以作交换。”
"O ruler of the earth! We are constantly engaged in the study of the Vedas. We are not capable of ruling the earth and we cannot do anything with its possession. Give some other charity in lieu of that.
FAQs
Dharma as proper role-alignment: priests uphold learning and ritual, while kings uphold protection and rule; each should not abandon their svadharma.
The priests explain why they cannot accept sovereignty/land and ask Daśaratha to substitute an appropriate material gift.
The priests’ integrity and clarity about duty, and Daśaratha’s readiness to honor their rightful request.